AgKnowledge 2007: Farming is changing, perhaps farmers should too

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) and the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture (SCFA) in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures, North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation and Industry Canada will, once again, present AgKnowledge, a farm forum.

This year's forum will focus on farm business management.

Farming is changing and farmers need to ensure they have the tools and resources to meet the challenges of their changing environment.

Asolid business plan, benchmarking tools to assess your success, and a comprehensive succession plan to enable the passing of the farm to the next generation are essential to ensuring future sustainability and prosperity.

A variety of speakers will address these important issues. Dave Sparling, PhD, the Executive Director of the Institute for Agri- Food Policy Innovation will speak to the importance of a solid business plan for the farming enterprise.

Having farmed for 20 years near Cambridge, and also teaching in the faculty of business for both McMaster and Wilfrid Laurier Universities, Dave brings a wealth of experience and information to this day.

John Molenhuis and Peter Coughler from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will address the topics of benchmarking and succession planning and the critical need for both.

The final session of the day will present funding opportunities and resources available to the agricultural sector to assist our farmers as they plan their path to success.

This event will be presented on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Circled Pine Golf Clubhouse, located at CFB Borden, between 3 and 8 p.m. with dinner being served at 6 p.m.

This event is free of charge to the Simcoe County farming community due to the generosity of the partnering organizations and generous contributions from Cardinal Farm Supply Ltd., Church's Farm Supplies Ltd., Farm Credit Canada, Holmes Agro Limited, Markdale Ford and ScotiaMcLeod.

As space is limited, registration by Feb. 15th is absolutely required.

For further information or to register call Andie Cote at Nottawasaga Futures (705) 435-1540, (800) 509-7554 or email at ced@nottawasaga. com.